Malins Welcome

The current president of the Northern Geographical Society reads through the final words of his predecessor and, when done, files them safely in the NGS Archives, so that the story the humble man's life will be preserved as long as the society he serves continues to exist.

CLEMENT AND EVARISTUS HAVE SPOKEN THROUGH CAIUS

ban characters from having any perspective that predates 2010

I did order minis of my characters, and I also had them printed at 2x size.

Sorry for the bad photo quality. I had a hard time painting these because the primer I used on them turned out to be NOT primer

MAJOR UPDATE

Massive pretty-fication!

Two new calendars (Ashen Year and Dwed'rum Kronol'krom)

Check it out!

Has it ever been known that messenger for a Bard Battle would be met with physical violence? Regarding the clown I can understand but when the same policy is applied to two clerics, two personal friends of mine, that's a bridge too far. And then Inny Yuln'aher went a bridge further than that. Have I not been requesting this entire time for her to send someone to negotiate the terms of the Bard Battle? Well, she did indeed send a messenger, but not to negotiate the terms of the Bard Battle but to dictate terms to the non-negotiation.

This messenger bore only the information that I had annoyed Inny Yunln'aher, of which I was already well aware, the information that she wanted to continue to delay negotiations indefinitely, which I had already assumed, and the demand that I no longer bother her about it in the meantime, which I will disregard, and some red paint, the likes of which was applied to the messenger before it could be applied to me.

If her messenger had been able to douse me I would not have even complained. The inability to roll with punches and harsh responses to ribbing are unbardsmenlike, as are backing down from a challenge once accepted. I am deeply displeased at how she has treated my friends and associates during this most recent debacle and I hope that she can continue the ordeal with a more correct attitude, and that next time she tries to catch me off guard she will try a little harder.

James Vursur

Once upon a time in Oren there was scandal where a man had bet a thousand minae on the outcome of a certain horse race. Then, on learning that the horse in question was sick, he went on a monumental drinking binge in which he spent his last penny before the bet came due.

I am very pleased to hear that Inny Yuln'aher has taken the advice I had been giving her for decades. Now that she has reorganized the college such that her own personal energy is not the only driving force of the institution perhaps she will be able to attend to other matters, such as the Bard Battle she accepted half a decade ago and has ignored ever since.

Why would this be? What was primarily at stake for Inny Yuln'aher was her position as Headmistress of the Bard's College. Having now relinquished this prize, will she now continue to gamble with chips she no longer holds while I remain wholly liable for every red penny of the initial bargain?

Such a matter might have been quietly resolved between our seconds had they been in communication with each other, but neither myself nor myself nor my second, Rhosyn Now-Cardinal Stafyr, have heard from Inny Yuln'aher nor her representative the least communication concerning this matter for the five years since she consented to the duel.

If it is the case (as seems to be increasingly likely) that Inny Yuln'aher does not wish to proceed with the Bard Battle, she is welcome to express her withdrawal to me. I am a reasonable man, and I grow impatient to have this incident resolved one way or another. Until then, I have my means of breaking through her wall of silence and going forward it will not be so easy for her to ignore the situation.

James Vursur

Still Friend

Am I understanding correctly that the year on this calendar is the same as the so called "Second Age"?

OOC:

A Public Letter

Some have marked with annoyance some remarks I made a number of Saint’s Days ago wherewith I rhetorically severed Norland from all cultured lands. Indeed, this may seem to be an uncharacteristic example of malicious slander on my own part, but nothing could be further from the truth. I had been told by very reliable sources that certain gestures that represent common courtesy in every single other culture known to the descendants of Man represented in Norland a grave insult. From this information it was naturally concluded that likewise grave insults would be considered a common courtesy in those lands, and that was the true intention of my opening salvo. Now I see my error: that both courtesy and insult are considered insults alike in Norland, and, having no other ways to interact, I will trouble those people no longer.

I did bow as I left the room. However, this bow was directed not at the Nordlingers, but at Headmisteress Inny Yuln’aher, who, not being Nordlingish, I trusted to be able to interpret the bow in a way that was not the diametric opposite of how everyone everywhere interpreted bowing. I hoped that she had not forgotten the reading of gesture as she seemed to have forgotten any Bardic practice that does not involve a connection to her mana, or even as she seems to have forgotten the procedures of a Bard Battle. As eager as she was to throw down on her own terms and in a crowd most positively disposed toward her, now several Saint’s Days have passed and neither myself nor my second, Rhosyn Stafyr, have been contacted by herself or her second to negotiate terms. I don’t blame her if such events have simply slipped her mind in the midst of her excessively busy schedule, but this sort of delay will begin to raise questions if it drags on for too long.

I await your response as I once awaited response from my previous communications to you.

Friend

A big part of what sets LOTC apart from other servers is its decade-long history. It would be a huge mistake to delete a subforum and leave another chunk of that history inaccessible for future players.

To all the people of the Petra:

a response to recent declarations

With a shove and a bump a whoospie-day
Got my rowboat lost down the river way
No oars on board and my sails are torn
But at least I'm with the latest telescope adorned

With a shove and a bump and a whoopsie-day
It isn't looking good but it's too soon to say

With a shove and a bump and a whoops-o-dee
The Queen's declared a cadre for the artistry
And if they asked me (they have not asked me)
To the Vailu Valmiran they would write quickly

With a shove and a bump and a whoops-o-dee
My boat begins to sink along with hope for me

With a shove and a bump and a whats-this-now
I see there's been authority for ports endowed
A Privy tasked with some docks to build
No one tell them that there's already some just downhill

With a shove and a bump and a whats-this-now
I seem to be still floating but I don't know how

Yours Truly,

Friend

Numendil-Pickle

NAME: Friend

AGE: Seven Years times Five Years times Seven Years

CHAMBERY PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1 Underdark Blvd.

IN GOOD LEGAL STANDING?: I would assume

✦ The Celestial Trust Presents ✦

Voices of Aevos is a series of interviews highlighting
mankind's artists, thinkers and luminaries.

Manon Yvaine
I don't believe I've ever been interviewed, before.

James Vursur
People are missing out on a wealth of knowledge, then. What all do you do, nowadays?

Manon Yvaine
Currently, I mostly teach. Philosophical education, for the youth of Haense. Though I do dabble in scholarly writing, when the mood strikes me.

And Alchemy, of course, is my lifelong love.

James Vursur
Alchemy and Philosophy. How are those related?

Manon Yvaine
They are in many ways one and the same. Alchemy's base practices are fairly simple, but it is a deeply philosophical art; to become an Alchemist is to become a philosopher. A true Alchemist, anyways.

James Vursur
What's the difference, then, between True Alchemy and just… combining substances?

Manon Yvaine
The philosophy! A true Alchemist knows her materials. She understands their meanings, their functions. She understands - or seeks to understand, why her brews work. Not only that, but why she gets certain reactions from certain ingredients, et cetera.

Anyone can mix things according to a recipe. Only some can understand why the recipe is written the way it is.

James Vursur
Can you give me an example?

Manon Yvaine
Well, a potionmaker might see a Gislocinovi plant and know the Symbols it contains. But an Alchemist would see a Gislocinovi plant and understand why it contains those Symbols, based on its functions, appearance, environment, and role in the ecosystem.

And even if she did not know, she would be aware that she did not know, and would be capable of seeking this knowledge out.

James Vursur
What symbols does the Gislocinovi plant contain and why?

Manon Yvaine
Reduction, Purity, Silence, and Separation. It grows in hot, humid climates - Silence, for the thick air. Purity, for the white petals. And all four are of course tied to its ability to disinfect - reducing blight, purifying flesh, silencing - in this case, killing - disease, and separating the infection from the flesh.

Now, of course, that was an easy example. And I do not claim that to be the only interpretation, or indeed the 'correct' one.

James Vursur
There's interpretation involved in the art, then?

Manon Yvaine
Oh, always. All art involves interpretation.

James Vursur
How did you come to be an Alchemist?

Manon Yvaine
It was a trick of fate. My friend and I were in the palace library, in Haense. My teacher was reading there. After speaking to us for a few minutes, he offered to teach us.

James Vursur
And how did you fall in love?

Manon Yvaine:
I was very alone, when I was young. Learning Alchemy allowed me to view the world around me in another light- one far more alive than the one I was raised with. Something designed with intention, thought. The world itself was very much alive. It changed my life.

It also taught me to use my mind. My teacher halted my lessons when I was still young. As you know, he gave me a book to learn from. Teaching it to myself forced me to be thoughtful and investigative. I had nobody to answer my questions, so I was forced to discover my answers myself. To find recipes myself, to find teachers myself. It was hard, very hard. But it gave me skills that have served me well.

James Vursur
A person whose life is meaningful can endure anything.

Manon Yvaine
Indeed.

James Vursur
What is the state of Alchemy as a discipline? Or as a philosophical school if you prefer.

Manon Yvaine
For many years, the Alchemical world was flooded with potion-brewers. Untrue Alchemists, perhaps. Perfectly honest, of course, but peddling potions just for coin. Now… It is empty. I see, at least in my own life, few who study it at all. Few who wish to. At least in the Human realms. I can not speak for elsewhere.

James Vursur
Do you have any idea what caused this decline?

Manon Yvaine
Change in priorities. Most nations keep Alchemists around for wartime. And there has been little war, lately. And at least in Haense, our clinic is… she grimaced. Well- it does not have the funding to afford Alchemical medicine.

With no war, at least none yet, most nations have no need for potions.

James Vursur
But you see Alchemy as more of an end in itself.

Manon Yvaine
Indeed.

James Vursur
Thank you, Manon. Is there anything else you want the readers to know before we leave off?

Manon Yvaine
Only to think deeply, and to question everything. There is far more to the world than meets the eye.

Cool lore, great work

I'd be interested to hear your perspective on how the Tanith Vursur incident played out.

[!] another letter is posted in response to the to the copy of this letter in Petra

Some matters are not suited for open letters. The love and respect this Baron claims to have would call for this matter to be held privately. The only reason to drag this out into the public is to rally support against Ser Laurens. By all appearances this is a dishonorable act of duplicity.

- Friend of the River

✦ The Celestial Trust Presents ✦

Voices of Aevos is a series of interviews highlighting
mankind's artists, thinkers and luminaries.

Inny Yuln'aher
I don't visit often enough.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
Chambery's a relatively quiet town. Stuff happens around here, but it's usually pretty low profile. NGS meetings are the biggest debacles.

Inny Yuln'aher
What good is meeting up, if you're not doing much afterwards? The Society's growth is visible, but it feels... stunted. 

Elizabeth Wittenbach
Aye, I know.

Inny Yuln'aher
Don't depend on others, Miss Wittenbach. A wise leader leads by example. If you're doing something worth doing, people are bound to not want to miss out. 

Elizabeth Wittenbach
We gotta work on restoring our research branch. The NGS's age shows, I fear… Gotta work out a few things and overhaul 'em, bring some more commerce to Chambery as well.

But we'll be fine. Maybe our two organizations can do something together someday, in partnership?

James Vursur
Isn't that what you're doing now?

Elizabeth Wittenbach:
Well yes, but our members should get to know one another. I consider our organizations to be allies, in pursuit of similar goals though in different ways.

Inny Yuln'aher:
Now wouldn't exactly work. I'm taking a break for the first time in a century. I have faith in what you all have here, Eliza. People come and go, places turn into ruins, but concepts? Exploration of the unknown? That will always remain.

Elizabeth Wittenbach:
Not to worry, we'll still be around, I'm sure, I entirely understand that whole 'needing a break' thing. Those twenty years our organization went defunct was a much needed one for myself, and our other Trustees.

We've been around for a century and three quarters now. I don't think I've long in this world myself, but we're on a good road back toward full restoration.

Inny Yuln'aher:
You'd be surprised with what you can do if you give it your all. Don't worry, hon. You're slowly securing a legacy that will be cherished by countless souls. In fact. We have to talk about that big donation I seek to make, Jay. You promised a wing named after me, and a statue~! 

James Vursur
My recollection is that you promised the statue.

Elizabeth Wittenbach:  
Right- So uh, James. I assume you had some questions of us, for this interview of yours?

Inny Yuln'aher:
I negotiated for the statue! What else would I donate for? The furthering of esoteric knowledge? Psh. Mm. Yeah yeah. Interview.

James Vursur
The interview has already been going along very well. I want to capture as much as I can a natural conversation and the personalities of the people involved. How have you both found the investment in learning and the arts have been from national governments? Have they been interested in promoting culture and history?

Elizabeth Wittenbach
Well, I think national governments certainly try, and I commend them for striving to do so. However, I have found that oftentimes the public sector fails to perform as well as the private sector does when it comes to engaging with the average man.

In many cases, universities and state run museums will only have as much energy as a single prominent agent installed by the government. After said agent retires, these initiatives often fall to the wayside.

Inny Yuln'aher:
Interest. There is always interest. People hope, but do not act. Passionate, truly dedicated souls are rare gems in this world. Always have been. The sectors are always leaderless and spread thin.

James Vursur
It sounds like your focus should be on training agents and leaders.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
Aye. And furthermore, I have found that private organizations tend to retain the loyalty of their members for far longer, and in a much better way. Entire families have supported the NGS for decades, for instance, and corps of new scholars and adventurers are trained to replace older ones.

You don't get that with a government institution, because the government has a half dozen other different institutions for people to seek careers in.

The military, foreign affairs, the courts… You get the idea.

James Vursur
The people who join state education could just as easily be a prosecutor or a diplomat.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
Aye. And the brightest minds within that professional talent pool, tend to go into those sectors rather than education or academics.

Inny Yuln'aher
It entraps them. Getting bright minds caught up in all those Politics. Training has been my sole focus the past century. And yet. I have only found a handful of truly dedicated people. They come and go. Passion is a strong yet wavering fuel.

James Vursur
Is it easier to be passionate about politics?

Inny Yuln'aher
It is alluring. The power, the perks that come with it. She'd shrug. I don't blame anyone but the system itself. Politics bring more immediate results. Voting on matters, signing diplomatic agreements. Getting yourself a fancy manor for your service to the state.

But I'll ask anyone: What do you want? And if they have any free will left they will tell me: Not this.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
I couldn't have said it better myself. As a former Foreign Secretary and speaker of a legislative assembly myself, the allure is powerful. I had to grow out of that.

Inny Yuln'aher
True foresight means doing what you must, even if the world screams for you to stop. While people are signing meaningless peace treaties, I will be cutting through the unknown for my people and my people's future.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
My own philosophy is similar, but…- Different, in the slightest of ways.

Inny Yuln'aher
By all means, Miss Wittenbach. It's a group interview~. 

Elizabeth Wittenbach
The NGS was founded by my mother in the aftermath of the Rubern War, you see, nearly two hundred years ago. It was humanity's longest lasting conflict at the time, and it cost many, many lives.

The entire world was at each other's throats. So, as a young girl, my mom decided to dedicate her life to illuminating what she referred to as a 'fog' which creates misunderstanding between the descendant races, namely through the publishing of cultural studies and the establishment of museums.

So I would say that we see ourselves as being supplementary to national governments, handling a service for the descendant peoples that often goes unattended to by the state.

But not in service to state governments, but to all descendant peoples as a whole. The safeguarding of the world's heritage for all time, in a manner similar to that which Inny expressed.

Inny Yuln'aher

I don't think we're all that different, Miss Wittenbach. Independent, yet helping. That is what my College stands for. Yet. I have yet to find those who can use the Truths we find. Clearing up the Fog, at times, just allows someone to take the first strike.

I, for one, wish for nations to be less demanding of their people's loyalty. They are all so desperate to keep them on a leash… Have you no experience with that yourself?

Elizabeth Wittenbach
Aye, there is always a risk of that… But one has to have faith in the people at large, aye? We might not be able to change the minds of nation states, but one scholar, one bard, from among our ranks might go on to make a difference.

And aye, I have experienced such both personally and professionally. Such is why my organization is sworn to strict neutrality, though that neutrality has put us at odds with some at times.

It makes such- Quite difficult, when a state demands absolute and exclusive allegiance.

Inny Yuln'aher
You are not neutral. You stand alongside knowledge.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
An interesting point of view, 

James Vursur
Truth, Beauty, Goodness. Perhaps they're not neutral. Some people might not want those getting out.

Inny Yuln'aher
Do I see you right, Eliza? I jest, but with these words I mean to show you: There is no such thing as true neutrality if we do not acknowledge ourselves first. We all have our views, our biases. A lens through which we see things.

Your goal is knowledge. Lifting that fog. And to achieve that, you do take sides.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
So we do. And those virtues are something that must always be defended, as well as the truth itself… Perhaps, in this, we are not neutral.

Inny Yuln'aher
All of this is making me want to write the College's values down somewhere. That oughta attract similar minds, ne?

Elizabeth Wittenbach
But we do not serve at the behest of a state, any state, in defense of these.

Inny Yuln'aher
I can agree on that. Too much cost.

James Vursur
I am certain we adopted a statement of purpose along with our constitution, but I've not been able to find it. Do you think that there are concrete policies these nations could adopt to better align themselves with beauty, goodness and truth- or at least to benefit knowledge and the arts among their people?

If the departments of education aren't working because of the other options, what can be done?

Elizabeth Wittenbach
I think most long standing nations have policies and values that they stand for, and many already have such policies in theory. Some of the world's largest libraries can be found in Haelun'or and Haense, for instance.

However, the state proper often has its hands full. There are exceptions where an educational institution has stood the test of time and grown a dedicated core, such as with the dwarven Rememberancers or the Eternal Library, but this is difficult to accomplish.

I believe- And this is just my own personal take, that organizations such as the NGS and the Bard's College can do a lot to fill in the gaps.

Inny Yuln'aher
Exactly! What I tell them is what I tell every student of mine: If you are not giving it your all, then stop. Trying. There is a limit to what a single king, or hells- A whole court can worry about. Let the ones who are doing things right do more.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
To supplement the spread of knowledge, and culture, and beauty to the peoples of the nations which they operate within.

Inny Yuln'aher
I'm opening up College branches in Nor'asath and Norland soon, because I have passionate, trusted minds that can spread my teachings of artistry. And what do I face? Resistance. Problems. Norland's rulership is a mess. Nor'asath is scattered...

James Vursur
It sounds like the best place for them to start is by mastering the art of governance.

Inny Yuln'aher

They're not doing anything wrong. The nations are still around, are they not? It is easy for us two to complain, when they're worrying about so much all at once.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
We've plans to open up branches in Aaun and Haense soon enough, and hopefully within Talar'nor and Veletz and Balian as well someday. Our organization's goal is to open a museum in every major country in the world, even if it takes centuries to do.

Although, we do have certain… Internal criteria that we follow as a litmus for where to establish a museum and when.

Inny Yuln'aher
Now that is a goal worth living for. Though it has cost me my patience, I've seen improvement. Albeit slow. Norland, for instance, has accepted Bardmancy fully. And let me tell you. Getting magic within those walls is nothing short of an uphill battle.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
It's ambitious, but it's always been the goal since my mother's time as President. In our prime, we maintained four museums across Almaris. We hope to someday achieve that level of outreach again.

James Vursur
The approach seems to be something like panning for gold. You get out there enough, talk to enough people, some people will shine and stick with you. Those are the ones who make all the work worthwhile. Do you believe there's a way to turn the dross gold? Some alchemy to infuse people with passion?

Or is it simply the case that some people have it and others do not?

Elizabeth Wittenbach
You've just gotta invest in people, really. If you encourage them, train them up, and show them their fullest potential you can create 'gold', as you put it, out of nothing.

Some people are more naturally inclined, aye, but many of the people who've joined the NGS are not those who would have done well as servants of a nation state.

All most out there need is a little bit of love.

Inny Yuln'aher
Passionate people make passionate people. It is just very demanding to focus on people, when there are so many things to do alongside it. Leading is a juggle. I'm sure anyone who's tried it can relate. 

James Vursur
Perhaps with more focus on people some of the things can be handed off.

Elizabeth Wittenbach
Aye, of course.

James Vursur
Thank you, Eliza, and Inny. Do you have any closing thoughts for the readers?

Elizabeth Wittenbach
Only that those seeking to join the Northern Geographical Society may read our pamphlet to learn more, and approach me at a weekly meeting at our flagship museum in Chambery, Petra should they seek to join our ranks.

We would welcome all people of all races who are not tainted by the corruption of darkspawn and hold similar values to our own.

Inny Yuln'aher
If you are reading this little interview. You care, and therefore you stand out. That is a good start for you to help us in our battle. 

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE 1943 GARMONT ASSEMBLY ELECTION WILL HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PETRAN ELECTORAL COMISSION HAS TAKEN UPON ITSELF TO CENSOR CERTAIN CANDIDATES. THIS IS AN UNCONSCIONABLE ATTACK ON THE CONCEPT OF FREE ELECTIONS ITSELF. WE CITIZENS OF PETRA HAVE A RIGHT TO HEAR WHAT THE CANDIDATES THINK BEFORE WE CAST OUR VOTE AND THE CANDIDATES HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY WHAT THEY THINK. ELSEWISE, WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING A DEBATE TO BEGIN WITH?

THANKFULLY WE HAVE PRESERVED A TRUE TRANSCRIPT OF THE DEBATES CONTAINING THE PORTIONS BRAZENLY REDACTED FROM THE ANSWERS OF PELYM-VAGIL RIVERS, THE ONE CANDIDATE WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK HIS MIND!

Quote

 

WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS ON THE STATE OF THE LAWBOOK?

PELYM-VAGIL RIVERS: "Ea think DA LAW of Petra is great! That auwn of DA reasons ea joined this lovely contry. Unlike DA POLICE STATE of Haense agh DA BANDIT GANG of Lurin - there are actual trials for crimes. Corruption among the powerful is quite scary - and can corrupt easily. LIKE THE CHURCH! Ea mean for zkah sake have lat peeped them lately? Even da numendil - a place for ADUNIANS who are born of a ELF and MAN marriage follow that overcomplicated shit. Didn't let mea Aunt marry a ******* Elf and kicked her out. Nie - They keep preaching the 'word of god' to cover them doing fucked up shit.

 

Quote

 

 DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO SPEAK ABOUT, OR TELL THE PEOPLE OF PETRA?

PELYM-VAGIL RIVERS:  Ea have seen some of ve courts. It's mostly Aldier, Theonus ag Halcourt, bunch of nobles bickering over 'who didn't join them at the table today' and 'how long should someones cape be' and ofcourse …'hey let's take power away from these people! They don't deserve it!' So yam represtenting DA PEOPLE Ag ofcourse - to bring THE PETRAN SMILE to not only on the faces of RiverGuard Helmets, but also to Petran Citizens! VOTE FOR THESE FUCKERS! TOO! Oh ag ve Lt. General - he's gay I think but he's cool.

 

This message has been brought to you by the Committee for Allowing Pelym-Vagil Rivers to Run His Mouth

CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE LIBRARY GUIDE

oh heck yes, great going

Using this thread as the official one from here on our, as it's the one that got pinned.

INTRODUCING NOTEBLOCK

Noteblock converts inputted text into commands that can easily be copy
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Automatically limits line length to prevent unreadable letters that extend off the screen!

SAWMILL UPDATE

New Features:

A toggle for Friend Broadcasts (disabled by default)

The ability to read and modify the terms that get filtered out of

the clean logs, allowing users to filter out server messages

I missed, keep in server messages that they want, and to

remove disfavored characters from your roleplay history,

should you decide to do that.

This update should make things much easier for non LOTC roleplay communities to use this tool